Kickoff to a new series. Rounded down 1 star because the author used the word "rumbled" too many times for description. Ryker & his "blood brothers" Denver and Heath run an investigative agency for finding lost people. The three of them have some superhuman traits such as elevated hearing, catlike agility, and over the top strength. Raised in an abusive boys home when they were children they had escaped and stuck together. Trying to find where they came from and track down their parents has been the life goal. This is Ryker's story. Ryker is an alpha male who is having an affair with Zara who he has feelings for but wants to protect her at all costs and tell her what to do 24/7. Zara is a paralegal, who for that type of background doesn't question much of the shady stuff happening around them. Their relationship intensifies by a lot of dirty sex, danger, & intrigue. There's a side mystery involving a serial killer. The past catches up with Ryker and he has to keep Zara & his brothers safe at all costs. Decent plot but I didn't care for the Ryker's demanding attitude & Zara's ignorance on not knowing much about the guy and just falling back and letting him command everything in the relationship. Side note: Zara's grandmother is hilarious and the serial killer slant continues in the next book ( )

Rebecca Zanetti has penned a thrilling start to a fantastic series. In this book we get to know the Jones brothers, and this story is Ryker's. He and his brothers, Heath and Denver, have started The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency. They have lost a client, and Ryker is devastated by her death. In addition, Ryker and his brothers have a tragic past that promises to never let them go. All the while, Ryker is having an affair with Zara Remington, a paralegal, and it is one with no strings. She doesn't even know where he lives.

But, things change rapidly, and Ryker must check out some of Zara's activities, which are indeed querulous, even if it means bringing her close and trusting her more than he is prepared to do. Zara has own secrets, so she as drawn as she is to Ryker, she isn't so sure she wants to fully know him, especially if it proves that his secrets could put them at cross purposes.

A simple love story this is not. Ryker is a man with many layers. His past, present and future converge at every twist. Ryker is a dangerous man, but when it comes to Zara, his alpha tendencies protect her every moment, even when they are not together. I absolutely loved this story, and even went right on and read the next two books in the Blood Brothers series. I just had to see about Heath and Denver, as well as to see what would happen to their common enemies.

This story is full of sizzling romance, great suspense and tons of action. All the while Ryker and his brothers are hunting a serial killer, they are also dealing with an incredibly dangerous part of their past. Zara may indeed be vulnerable, but boy does she show amazing strength. She is the perfect match to Ryker.

I haven't read Ms. Zanetti's Sin Brothers series, which consists of four titles, but I definitely want to as the Gray brothers make an appearance in this series. Although they indeed provide a backdrop to the Jones brothers, this series is indeed separate and I had no trouble reading it. This series continues with Lethal Lies and Twisted Truths. ( )

****Chance to win my arc copy! Reading Between the Wines book club****

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When Zara's law firm hired The Lost Bastards Investigative Agency, she had no idea the path her life was about to take. Ryker knows it’s extremely dangerous to get close to anyone but Zara reaches a place inside of him he didn't know could exist. As Zara works to help her friend going through a divorce and Ryker is trying to find a serial killer, a new danger involving Ryker's past starts to creep closer. More questions are being asked than there are answers and Zara and Ryker are going to have to decide if they're safer together or apart.

Just who in the hell was Ryker Jones?

A spin-off of the Sin Brothers series, Deadly Silence starts us off with a new set of heroes in Blood Brothers. I have not read any books from the Sin Brothers series (you can guarantee I will be rectifying that) and I wouldn't say it would be a requirement to have done so to start this series. If you have read books from Sin you would have prior knowledge of what the origins of Ryker and his brothers Heath and Denver are but as a newbie, the author did a great job of delaying the knowledge to create mystery and suspense but giving the reader enough at the right times to keep from feeling lost. Now, this book on its own, let me restate the immortal words of Samuel L. Jackson in Jurassic Park, "Hold on to your butts." There is some mad story happening here.

From day one, she'd tasted danger on his tongue, and it burned her hotter than she'd ever been.

The three main story threads were the continuing hunt for a serial killer, Zara's friend going through a divorce, and the three brother's past coming back to haunt them; there is so much happening but for the most part, the author pulls it off. Zara's friend, the divorce, the danger, and the murder mystery that stems from that was probably the weakest and the one I would have shortened way down to streamline. It initially works to get our couple together but the murder mystery fell somewhat flat without room or time to flush out the secondary characters involved with it. I think what kept all the storylines from feeling overwhelming was the author's great use of Heath and Denver, Ryker's brothers. The serial killer plot is the most on the peripheral and Heath mainly deals with that one while the brother's past and origins, with the added character of Greg, starts off smaller with Denver mainly dealing with it until it slowly gains momentum (second half of book) and becomes the main focus by the end with everyone involved. This delegating of story threads kept secondary characters involved while organizing all the plot points.

"You want everything," she countered, trying to make sense of the rioting feelings inside her.
He grinned then, his eyes remaining sober. "I'll get it, too."

With all those story plots happening, our main couple's romance did suffer a bit. We're started off with Zara and Ryker already having a sexual relationship, even though they both started it with the expectations of keeping it casual, so I missed seeing and feeling the building of attraction. I did have some problems connecting with Ryker as he came off a little stiff and distant. I get with his background why he might come off that way to Zara but as the reader, I want to feel more of him in order to care and connect. There was also a little bit of wooden alpha to him at times with his "must protect you" regarding Zara repeating over and over. Zara was a solid heroine with small amounts of little lost girl and then a tad bit fantastical butt-kicking heroine antics towards the end. I would have liked more emotional moments from the two regarding them coming together; again, it's all about the journey for me. If steamy hot bedroom scenes are your thing, you won't be disappointed; Zara and Ryker bring the heat. No complaints there.

"Trust me like I trust you."

Even with so much going on I thought the author nailed the pacing and tone, there were some repetitive scenes/lines but overall, you won't want to put the book down. The romance takes somewhat of a hit but the comprehensive story makes up for it with its intriguing story plots and wide cast of characters. This doesn't end on a strict cliffhanger but if you read this, you're signing up for a shady genetics military program, a hunt for a serial killer, and following along with a trio of brothers who are trying to make sense of it all while trying not to fall in love. I'm on the bandwagon and can't wait to read the next in the series starring Heath.
( )

good transition dating to love ( )

Deadly Silence
3 Stars

Paralegal Zara Remington knows very little about the mysterious man in her life and in her bed. Private Investigator Ryker Jones is an enigma with deep, dark secrets, but when her best friend is murdered and Zara becomes a target, he is the only one she can turn to.

Oy! Rebecca Zanetti's Sin Brothers series about 4 genetically engineered super-soldiers is entertaining and refreshing. Unfortunately, Deadly Silence, the first book in the spin-off series fails to live up to expectations.

The plot is a huge mess with 3 separate storylines including the ongoing conspiracy established in the original series, the investigation into the murder of an abused woman, and the hunt for a serial killer targeting redheads. Any one of these storylines could have made an excellent read, but together the threads remain superficial and underdeveloped.

The romance between Zara and Ryker is also disappointing as their relationship is already in progress at the beginning of the story. Consequently, there is no build up of sexual tension and the emotional attachment is sudden and unrealistic.

Moreover, Ryker's alpha male routine is excessive and rather than coming across as a protective and caring lover, he is overbearing and domineering. Zara is ostensibly an intelligent and independent woman, but caves to her hormones and allows Ryker to walk all over her - not sexy!

The writing is also problematic with one-dimensional characters, plot points that lack foundation and clumsily written dialogue.

In sum, there is nothing new or innovative in this story, and the characters and writing are a significant problem. Hopefully, the next book will be better. ( )